15 June 2012
Obama Report on Global Deathcraft
Banal dissimulation. Not a word about the dead and maimed, societies destroyed,
waste and ineptitude, withholding secrets from the public. No sympathy for
victims, no regret, no apology, no shame for deathcraft commerce and politics.
Coordinated reports on USG political promotion of more financial return and
jobs through global deathcraft:
0427.pdf State Promotes Specially Designed Deathcrafts June 15, 2012
0426.pdf BIS Promotes Specially Designed Deathcrafts 2 June 15, 2012
0425.pdf BIS Promotes Specially Designed Deathcrafts 1 June 15, 2012
0423.htm ok US Promotes Jobs by Deathcraft June 15, 2012
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/06/15/presidential-letter-2012-war-powers-resolution-6-month-report
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 15, 2012
Presidential Letter -- 2012 War Powers Resolution 6-Month Report
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
I am providing this supplemental consolidated report, prepared by my
Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law
93-148), as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about deployments
of U.S. Armed Forces equipped for combat.
MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST AL-QA'IDA, THE TALIBAN, AND ASSOCIATED FORCES
AND IN SUPPORT OF RELATED U.S. COUNTERTERRORISM (CT) OBJECTIVES
Since October 7, 2001, the United States has conducted combat operations
in Afghanistan against al-Qa'ida terrorists, their Taliban supporters, and
associated forces. In support of these and other overseas operations, the
United States has deployed combat equipped forces to a number of locations
in the U.S. Central, Pacific, European, Southern, and Africa Command areas
of operation. Previously such operations and deployments have been reported,
consistent with Public Law 107-40 and the War Powers Resolution, and operations
and deployments remain ongoing. These operations, which the United States
has carried out with the assistance of numerous international partners, have
degraded al-Qa'ida's capabilities and brought an end to the Taliban's leadership
of Afghanistan.
United States Armed Forces are now actively pursuing and engaging remaining
al-Qa'ida and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. The total number of U.S. forces
in Afghanistan is approximately 90,000, of which more than 70,000 are assigned
to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. In accordance with June 2011 Presidential
guidance, the Department of Defense remains on track to achieve a Force
Management Level of 68,000 U.S. forces by the end of this summer. After that,
reductions will continue at a steady pace.
The U.N. Security Council most recently reaffirmed its authorization of ISAF
for a 12-month period until October 13, 2012, in U.N. Security Council Resolution
2011 (October 12, 2011). The mission of ISAF, under NATO command and in
partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is
to prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe haven for international
terrorists. Fifty nations, including the United States and all 28 NATO Allies,
contribute forces to ISAF. These forces, including U.S. "surge" forces deployed
in late 2009 and 2010, broke Taliban momentum and trained additional Afghan
National Security Forces (ANSF). The ANSF are now increasingly assuming
responsibility for security on the timeline committed to at the 2010 NATO
Summit in Lisbon by the United States, our NATO allies, ISAF partners, and
the Government of Afghanistan.
United States Armed Forces are detaining in Afghanistan approximately 2,748
individuals under the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (Public
Law 107-40) as informed by the laws of war. On March 9, 2012, the United
States signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Afghan government under
which the United States is to transfer Afghan nationals detained by U.S.
forces in Afghanistan to the custody and control of the Afghan government
within 6 months. Efforts are underway to accomplish such transfers in a safe
and humane manner.
The combat-equipped forces, deployed since January 2002 to Naval Base, Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba, continue to conduct secure detention operations for the approximately
169 detainees at Guantanamo Bay under Public Law 107-40 and consistent with
principles of the law of war.
In furtherance of U.S. efforts against members of al-Qa'ida, the Taliban,
and associated forces, the United States continues to work with partners
around the globe, with a particular focus on the U.S. Central Command's area
of responsibility. In this context, the United States has deployed U.S.
combat-equipped forces to assist in enhancing the CT capabilities of our
friends and allies, including special operations and other forces for sensitive
operations in various locations around the world.
In Somalia, the U.S. military has worked to counter the terrorist threat
posed by al-Qa'ida and al-Qa'ida-associated elements of al-Shabaab. In a
limited number of cases, the U.S. military has taken direct action in Somalia
against members of al-Qa'ida, including those who are also members of al-Shabaab,
who are engaged in efforts to carry out terrorist attacks against the United
States and our interests.
The U.S. military has also been working closely with the Yemeni government
to operationally dismantle and ultimately eliminate the terrorist threat
posed by al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the most active and dangerous
affiliate of al-Qa'ida today. Our joint efforts have resulted in direct action
against a limited number of AQAP operatives and senior leaders in that country
who posed a terrorist threat to the United States and our interests.
The United States is committed to thwarting the efforts of al-Qa'ida and
its associated forces to carry out future acts of international terrorism,
and we have continued to work with our CT partners to disrupt and degrade
the capabilities of al-Qa'ida and its associated forces. As necessary, in
response to the terrorist threat, I will direct additional measures against
al-Qa'ida, the Taliban, and associated forces to protect
U.S. citizens and interests. It is not possible to know at this time the
precise scope or the duration of the deployments of U.S. Armed Forces necessary
to counter this terrorist threat to the United States. A classified annex
to this report provides further information.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN IRAQ
The United States completed its responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces from
Iraq in December 2011, in accordance with the 2008 Agreement Between the
United States of America and the Republic of Iraq on the Withdrawal of United
States Forces from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their
Temporary Presence in Iraq.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN CENTRAL AFRICA
In October and November 2011, U.S. military personnel with appropriate combat
equipment deployed to Uganda to serve as advisors to regional forces that
are working to apprehend or remove Joseph Kony and other senior Lord's Resistance
Army (LRA) leaders from the battlefield, and to protect local populations.
The total number of U.S. military personnel deployed for this mission, including
those providing logistical and support functions, is approximately 90. United
States forces are working with select partner nation forces to enhance
cooperation, information-sharing and synchronization, operational planning,
and overall effectiveness. Elements of these U.S. forces have deployed to
forward locations in the LRA-affected areas of the Republic of South Sudan,
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic to
enhance regional efforts against the LRA. These forces, however, will not
engage LRA forces except in self-defense. It is in the U.S. national security
interest to help our regional partners in Africa to develop their capability
to address threats to regional peace and security, including the threat posed
by the LRA. The United States is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to help
the governments and people of this region in their efforts to end the threat
posed by the LRA and to address the impacts of the LRA's atrocities.
MARITIME INTERCEPTION OPERATIONS
As noted in previous reports, the United States remains prepared to conduct
maritime interception operations on the high seas in the areas of responsibility
of each of the geographic combatant commands. These maritime operations are
aimed at stopping the movement, arming, and financing of certain international
terrorist groups, and also include operations aimed at stopping proliferation
by sea of weapons of mass destruction and related materials. Additional
information is provided in the classified annex.
HOSTAGE RESCUE OPERATIONS
As noted to you in my report of January 26, 2012, at my direction, on January
24, 2012, U.S. Special Operations Forces conducted a successful operation
in Somalia to rescue Ms. Jessica Buchanan, a U.S. citizen who had been kidnapped
by individuals linked to Somali pirate groups and financiers.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN EGYPT
Approximately 693 military personnel are assigned to the U.S. contingent
of the Multinational Force and Observers, which have been present in Egypt
since 1981.
U.S.-NATO OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO
The U.N. Security Council authorized Member States to establish a NATO-led
Kosovo Force (KFOR) in Resolution 1244 on June 10, 1999. The original mission
of KFOR was to monitor, verify, and, when necessary, enforce compliance with
the Military Technical Agreement between NATO and the then-Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia (now Serbia), while maintaining a safe and secure environment.
Today, KFOR deters renewed hostilities in cooperation with local authorities,
bilateral partners, and international institutions. The principal military
tasks of KFOR forces are to help maintain a safe and secure environment and
to ensure freedom of movement throughout Kosovo.
Currently, 23 NATO Allies contribute to KFOR. Seven non-NATO countries also
participate. The United States contribution to KFOR is approximately 817
U.S. military personnel out of the total strength of approximately 6,401
personnel, which includes a temporarily deployed Operational Reserve Force.
I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in all of these operations
pursuant to my constitutional and statutory authority as Commander in Chief
(including the authority to carry out Public Law 107-40 and other statutes)
and as Chief Executive, as well as my constitutional and statutory authority
to conduct the foreign relations of the United States. Officials of my
Administration and I communicate regularly with the leadership and other
Members of Congress with regard to these deployments, and we will continue
to do so.
BARACK OBAMA
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